“The NEXT Project gave me freedom”

A recent graduate of NEXT wrote a few words about her experience over the 12 weeks of training:

THE NEXT PROJECT GAVE ME FREEDOM

I recently completed The NEXT Project, which is run by Foundation for Change. I went on the course to learn some tools to help me in my recovery, but what I didn’t expect to find was freedom. Here are some of the ways the course helped me:

It helped me to find my voice – before doing NEXT, I wouldn’t say boo to a goose, I made sure I kept myself small. But now I’ve finally found my voice – and everybody knows it!;

I learnt about boundaries – I got to learn about how to keep myself safe using boundaries, and got a chance to practise this on the course;

Trauma – I always felt my trauma was in some way connected to my drinking, NEXT helped me to not only understand these links, but alleviated some of my trauma symptoms, which included PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder);

People – the course taught me how to be around and get on with other people, and not to be scared of them. This used to be debilitating for me.

My identity – I learnt a lot about who I am, and got clearer on my life and where I want to go from here.

There is nothing else I’ve done in recovery that has helped me as much as The NEXT Project, I’m so appreciative of this life-changing course. I feel more confident, self aware, and much happier.